Mark Steel – Every Little Thing’s Gonna Be Alright

By Ron Bingham
MArk Steel

I was going to start with a warning to get there early but the front couple of rows had empty seats for ages, which is strange as Mark doesn’t do audience participation. The show itself runs for over 70 minutes, so you will also hit the Tattoo crowds as they exit on weeknights. Right, that’s the logistics out of the way.

Mark has had a difficult time this year, with a messy separation from his wife counterpointed by some genuinely surreal political actions and votes, as well as the consequences from a minor car accident. He starts by discussing devolution, Brexit and the recent UK election, giving us a number of excellent impressions of people and some cogent points on the mentality of MPs and voters, moves on the the problems in his marriage and the ridiculousness of the divorce process, delving into the dangers of getting a Portuguese hunting dog and what happens when the insurance companies sell your accident details to personal injuries claim firms (probably best if anyone from that industry keeps away from the show, as they are grilled slowly over a hot comedic fire) and finishes with a message of hope for the future.

The political material doesn’t delve too deep and doesn’t require more than a passing knowledge of the MPs but is very funny. The part of the show that looks at his divorce and the problems with dealing with mediators and dividing up one’s life is much more poignant and proves an excellent counterpoint to the madness on the political stage. The full house was exuberant in their appreciation and the show was an example of a comedian at the top of his game, brimming with confidence, comedy and heart. There is a lot of swearing, especially at insurance vultures.

Every Little Thing’s Gonna Be Alright is on at Assembly Hall until August 27
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/mark-steel-every-little-thing-s-gonna-be-alright

Isa Bonachera : Wow!

By Ron Bingham
Wow

Isa starts her show with a couple of physics jokes courtesy of her failed PhD in physics. She then launches into a show about her youth in the south of France before moving to Michigan for high school and university, then to the UK after a number of setbacks and an incident in a nightclub. Isa has a number of amusing stories to tell, about learning to sail, saving someone from drowning, a cheating boyfriend and other relationship problems, and the problems with deciding to study for a physics degree.

My problem with the show is that Isa has a very strong Spanish accent mixed with some midwest US, which meant I had to concentrate too much on what she was saying to find time to laugh at the appropriate times. Her delivery is also much too fast (possibly nerves), which means she was treading on her own punchlines and the audience were getting left behind. Which is a pity, as many of the stories of her life were amusing. With a slower, more measured delivery this show would be able to reach its full potential.

Wow! is on at Underbelly, Cowgate until August 27

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/wow

Cambridge Impronauts – Improv Actually

By Phoebe O’Brien Impronaut pic

Cambridge University are back at the Fringe with their improv troupe the Cambridge Impronauts tackling a much loved film genre the ‘rom-com’, in their show Improv Actually.

While the mash up of rom-com and long form improv based on audience suggestions serve as an enticing backdrop to honest storytelling from the heart about matters of the heart, (which any die hard rom-com lover would drool over) it somehow isn’t enough to escape the uneven level of experience between performers within the rocky storyline that quickly forms.

Improv Actually has its hiccups, yet still manages to bring sweet scenes that will make you laugh and if you let it, it may even hit you right in the feels. Actually

Improv Actually by Cambridge Impronauts
at the Gilded Balloon Teviot 13:15

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/cambridge-impronauts-improv-actually

Danny Lobell : Broke as a Joke

By Ron Bingham
Broke As A Joke

Danny is a self-described Scottish / New York Jewish comedian and his show is a look back at his youth in and around New York. Unfortunately the Scottish part of his heritage is dismissed early on after one quick joke.

We hear about his father’s penchant for a discount and getting the the best deals around, Danny’s youthful flirtations with a credit card and the consequences when Christine from the debt collectors starts calling. Danny then tells of his start in stand-up comedy, being mentored by the great Jackie Mason, living in a cockroach infested apartment in New York, bad business decisions involving Cornish hairless cats and chickens, a coda of his move to LA and domestic bliss and a message of the importance of living one’s dreams.

The room is small but cosy and the audience were vocal in their appreciation of Danny’s comic timing. Danny is an engaging and cheerful storyteller who gives an hour of fine comedy. Nothing too rude in the routines or their telling, although a bit of the stuff about working the Catskill circuit may be lost on some people.

Broke as a Joke is on at theSpace @ Jury’s Inn until August 25

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/broke-as-a-joke

Demi Lardner : Look what you made me do

By Ron Bingham
Look What Youu Made Me Do

This show is a corker! From the first moment that Demi, in the guise of Gavin, enters the stage we are treated to a whirlwind hour of props, sketches and general chaos.

Based loosely on the story of a middle aged man trapped in his basement, he’s forced to answer questions for a phone survey and suffers a number of hallucinations. There are songs and dances (including a bit of strobe lighting), some dubious drawings (one of which is available as a postcard at the end of the show), a sidekick in the form of one of the ladies from the show Double Denim and a main actor who performs a well scripted hour. It’s not at all highbrow comedy and had the audience in stitches.

This show has won a couple of awards (including the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Director’s Choice) and it really delivers on the laughs. There are some rude words, a naughtily erotic story and one truly appalling pun to do with a horse.

This is a show that won’t disappoint.   

Look what you made me do is on at Underbelly, Cowgate until August 27

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/demi-lardner-look-what-you-made-me-do

Phil Ellis Has Been on Ice

By Ron Bingham
Phil Ellis

What a gloriously shambolic hour of deliberately bad comedy we had here. The premise is that Phil was frozen three years ago due to an incurable disease and now that a cure is available he has been unfrozen. First he is required to undergo a series of tests and challenges to determine whether it will work.

These tests involve selected audience members and are extremely humiliating (but only for Phil). It’s worth coming to see this show just to see whether Phil can survive to the end as he really does go overboard in trying to destroy himself (especially his knees). There was also one routine where he had to undergo exercises and chose a VERY fit gent from the audience to challenge him. I have never seen a man go that particular shade of purple (or a random audience member do quite so many one handed push-ups).

The audience were in stitches at a lot of the ridiculous stunts and I haven’t laughed out loud so much in ages. Don’t go expecting any highly crafted verbal gymnastics or elaborate props/puppets and you’ll get to see an excellent hour of very silly comedy with a little message of hope at the end.

Phil Ellis Has Been on Ice is on at Just the Tonic at The Mash House until August 27
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/phil-ellis-has-been-on-ice